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Key def.dat

From Populous Wiki

Change Populous default keys using programming or hex editor. The file was decoded on November 23rd 2013.

Information

Key def.dat is a file that you have to create by using the Populous Key editor included in the game (DOWNLOAD: key def.dat). Once you save, the file is created and located in ./save/Key def.dat. The file is structured similar to the header format(Header_Format). Each key is stored in a single hexadecimal address, the combination key is always 1 in front of it. So if 0x1 is pause 0x2 will be the combination key. The combination key is like shift + key but in the file format it reads key + shift.

Each key needs to be converted to hexadecimal to a integer. This can be done in programming by simply reading information from the address, else if you're using a hex editor (like HxD) you'll have to do it by hand using a converter like http://home.paulschou.net/tools/xlate/ (use the values from CHAR), once you got the number it should range from 1-105, if it exceeds that, you're reading the wrong location or you got your math wrong. In !!SECTION!! you will be told how to convert the values from keycode (the integer number you just got) to ASCII using programming methods. If you want to change them by hand without programming, all the key definitions are on this list http://www.penticoff.com/nb/kbds/ibm104kb.htm, remember that you have to convert those numbers back to hex from the paulschou's link, or by programming.

This is not a complete decode of the file, however its most of the common key commands for Populous, if you find more, feel free to add them!


Combination keys

The combination keys use a different keycode format. I don't know if there is a pattern to this or if the game has custom keycodes for these.

Not all of these are tested.

    No Combo key = 0
    Shift = 1
    Shift + CTRL (or App button?) = 3
    CTRL = 4
    Shift + ALT = 5
    Ctrl + alt = 6
    Shift + ctrl + alt = 7
    Alt = 20

Available keys

Toggle view key

    0x23 = Key
    0x24 = Combo key

Encyclopaedia key

    0x38 = Key
    0x39 = Combo key


Set Map Marker 1 key

    0x35 = Key
    0x36 = Combo key


Set Map Marker 2 key

    0x68 = Key
    0x69 = Combo key


Set Map Marker 3 key

    0x83 = Key
    0x84 = Combo key


Set Map Marker 4 key

    0x88 = Key
    0x99 = Combo key


Goto Map Marker 1

    0x113 = Key
    0x114 = Combo key


Goto Map Marker 2

    0x128 = Key
    0x129 = Combo key


Goto Map Marker 3

    0x143 = Key
    0x144 = Combo key


Goto Map Marker 4

    0x158 = Key
    0x159 = Combo key


Zoom view in key

    0x173 = Key
    0x174 = Combo key


Zoom view out key

    0x188 = Key
    0x189 = Combo key


Quick Load key

    0x203 = Key
    0x204 = Combo key


Quick Save key

    0x218 = Key
    0x219 = Combo key


Zoom to shaman key

    0x233 = Key
    0x234 = Combo key


Chat message key

    0x248 = Key
    0x249 = Combo key


Command Tracking key

    0x263 = Key
    0x264 = Combo key
    * Had problems w/ this key


Release guarding people key

    0x278 = Key
    0x279 = Combo key


Toggle Level Stats key

    0x293 = Key
    0x294 = Combo key


Rotate building key

    0x308 = Key
    0x309 = Combo key


Assign people to group 1 key

    0x323 = Key
    0x324 = Combo key


Assign people to group 2 key

    0x8 = Key
    0x9 = Combo key


Assign people to group 3 key

    0x8 = Key
    0x9 = Combo key


Assign people to group 4 key

    0x8 = Key
    0x9 = Combo key


Assign people to group 5 key

    0x8 = Key
    0x9 = Combo key


Assign people to group 6 key

    0x8 = Key
    0x9 = Combo key


Pause key

    0x8 = Key
    0x9 = Combo key


Pause key

    0x8 = Key
    0x9 = Combo key


Pause key

    0x8 = Key
    0x9 = Combo key


Pause key

    0x8 = Key
    0x9 = Combo key


Pause key

    0x8 = Key
    0x9 = Combo key


Pause key

    0x8 = Key
    0x9 = Combo key


Pause key

    0x8 = Key
    0x9 = Combo key


Pause key

    0x8 = Key
    0x9 = Combo key


Pause key

    0x8 = Key
    0x9 = Combo key


Pause key

    0x8 = Key
    0x9 = Combo key


Pause key

    0x8 = Key
    0x9 = Combo key


Pause key

    0x8 = Key
    0x9 = Combo key


Pause key

    0x8 = Key
    0x9 = Combo key


Pause key

    0x8 = Key
    0x9 = Combo key


Pause key

    0x8 = Key
    0x9 = Combo key


Pause key

    0x8 = Key
    0x9 = Combo key


Pause key

    0x8 = Key
    0x9 = Combo key


Pause key

    0x8 = Key
    0x9 = Combo key


Pause key

    0x8 = Key
    0x9 = Combo key


Pause key

    0x8 = Key
    0x9 = Combo key


Pause key

    0x8 = Key
    0x9 = Combo key


Pause key

    0x8 = Key
    0x9 = Combo key


Pause key

    0x8 = Key
    0x9 = Combo key


Pause key

    0x8 = Key
    0x9 = Combo key


Pause key

    0x8 = Key
    0x9 = Combo key


Pause key

    0x8 = Key
    0x9 = Combo key


Pause key

    0x8 = Key
    0x9 = Combo key


Pause key

    0x8 = Key
    0x9 = Combo key


Pause key

    0x8 = Key
    0x9 = Combo key


Pause key

    0x8 = Key
    0x9 = Combo key


Pause key

    0x8 = Key
    0x9 = Combo key